Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-25

that from the evidence before it il appears,
and the board finds that the defect in the
rail which caused the derailment was Of
such character that it could not be de
tected until disclosed by the breaking Of the
iron. Upon the subject Of recommends
ton the board are not yet prepared TO re-
port fully
The Cause Of Many Deaths.
There is no ground Of doubt that many
who persisted in this accident would have
been released from the wreck alive had it
not been for the stove fires and oil lamps
which ignited the varnish, paint, draperies
and other comhustible material almost as
soon as the crash came, aud caused the suf
location aud burning of those who were
pinioncd underneath the rubbish before
they could all be extricated Passenger
cars must he heated in some way in our
ATTITUDES, or winter travel must cease
How can this he done with the minimum of
danger to life in case of wreck
Improved Methods of urnting aud
Lighting.
1t is already the belief Of the hoard that
the introduction of steam heating and
electric lighting Of cars is not likely to he
much longer deferred, although their adop-
ton in any known methods as at present
exist are not unattended with danger in
certain classes Of accidents. The subject
is undergoing at thi, time more thorough
nhd promising Investigations and expert
ncntS than ever before hy the Legislatures
at Albany and Boston and elsewhere. and
10y Boards Of Commissioners. inventors and
railway experts, and the results Of pract-
cal tests NOW promised will afford the only
safe critelia for intelligent rccommeuda-
ton for adoption by our roads That steam
heating from the engine is far preferable in
the direction of safety to life than the
methods in general list the board is already
satisfied. That it i, practicable /, also es-
tahlibhcd by the testimony in this case.
Unless some better system is adopted hy
the roads Of the state before another win
ter, aN at present advised the adoption of
steam heating from the locomotive or other
device without fires in the cars will he
recommended 10y the board. And we do
now earnestly recommend to the officials of
all the roads Of the state. in behalf Of the
corporate as well rs public interests that
they give especial attention to this subject
10y conference with official, of roads with
which they have connection or business
relations, and by ufior,lng opportunities for
experiment upon such inventions as seem
To present promise Of value in the direc-
tlon of safety from fire and sufIocation in
raaes Of derailment and collision
Bridge Guards.
The subject Of the want Of a guard rail
upon the approach to the bridge has been
called to our attention In view of the
Tact which we find, that the want of such a
rail III nowise contributed to this accident,
and the existence of such rail in this case
would not have prevented the same. We do
not feel called upon to make amy recon-
nendatiun in regard thereto at this time.
but 1t seems proper at this time and upon
thi, matter to advise all the railroad cnmpa
MES of the state to take into consideration
the most improved method, in vogue any
whore for the better equipment of their
"lluEt approaches where needed, with
strong huttrce,es. nnring safety beams or
other practical device, to diminish the ia
tality of thl, class Of accident, Such rea
Nonal'lc prccaution, should be- taken before
rather than after the occurrence of any ia
tai calamity
BY order of the Board
ALfREp h. WATSON. Clerk
III viii h- remembered that W,. printed state.
| mrnt last N"rh that man named Rrmillart OF
! lirockt"m, Mass, who was "n thu, wrecked train
AMI rs'ai"N unujui'4i, had todd "a story tu the rf
feet that the drrHilmrut uf t. ear, WAS ,ltl,. to
a sudden stopping Of the tram D., the engineer iu
answer To- tho conductors warming through the
| 'HIl cord that he WAS running tuu fast ENtiu,.
Plucirr. chairman ct IA" tuarl of commissioners,
writes Us ~ it'll reference tu this that the substance,
II the Statement was believed b, him to H.. aln,
Nplhl in view ot other definite Testimony which
! had lT'-n given, aud that it was known To the
hparl that the same man hld u,ttir statement, To
At least lhr''' isiuu> s'lnif' returning home which
were precisely iu accord with the mas, of t..st
| m"hy on the speed Of the train aud n> found ly
! she harl For this p'ls"n It was d,.n,t uni,.,-
r,>iN To make any examination a~ to thu truth of
! hi. ~turN IN lIuENlN